Embracing technological possibilities in the telehealth delivery of interactive music therapy

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Given how many music therapists have shifted their practice to telehealth in accordance with COVID-19 public safety precautions, it is essential for clinicians not only to adjust to the virtual platform, but to embrace the therapeutic potential of technological tools. Just as music is considered a therapeutic agent in music therapy sessions, the authors assert that technology may also be conceptualized and utilized as a means of enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Method

Referencing an interactive music therapy protocol adapted for telehealth as part of a pain management study, the authors examine ways in which different aspects of telehealth technology can be used by music therapists to support client goals and bolster the therapeutic relationship. Generalized clinical examples drawn from virtual sessions are incorporated to demonstrate the unique therapeutic possibilities for client agency, client self-efficacy, and the client-therapist relationship afforded by the telehealth platform.

Results

Among the possibilities afforded by telehealth are enriched opportunities for client choice, reinforcement of learning and implementing new transferrable skills, and enhancing the therapeutic relationship through collaborative troubleshooting and adapted interactive music experiences.

Discussion

Specific recommendations for music therapists are included to advance the conversation around best practices regarding telehealth. The authors discuss actionable items for music therapists such as utilizing screen-sharing options to enhance musical interactions, validating and exploring clients’ use of technology for self-disclosure, and other strategies for harnessing the therapeutic potential of technology in virtual music therapy sessions.

KEYWORDS:

• Music therapy
• telehealth
• COVID-19
• therapeutic relationship

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; US legislation providing data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01NR016681. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Notes on contributors

Anna S. Cephas

Anna S. Cephas, MA, MT-BC, is a music therapist specializing in palliative, hospice, and bereavement support. She is a music therapy clinician in the Pain Management Support Study at Drexel University, and also works as a hospice music therapist for Penn Medicine. Anna completed her master’s program at Drexel University.

Stephenie Sofield

Stephenie Sofield, MM, MT-BC, is a music therapist at Avanzar, a social justice agency in New Jersey, where she provides music therapy to child witnesses of intimate partner violence. She is currently a PhD student at Drexel University, works as a music therapy clinician in the Pain Management Support Study, and is interested in intersectional feminist research methodologies.

Allison Millstein

Allison Millstein, MS, LCAT, MT-BC is a music therapist living and working in Brooklyn, New York. Alli sees clients out of her private practice and also works as a music therapy clinician for the Pain Management Support Study at Drexel University.